David Davis Walker
David Davis Walker | |
---|---|
St. Louis, Missouri, United States | |
Education | Beloit College |
Spouse | Martha Adela Beaky |
Children | 6 including George Herbert Walker |
Parent(s) | George E. Walker Harriet Mercer |
Relatives | Thomas Walker (paternal grandfather) David Davis (first cousin) George H. W. Bush (great-grandson) George W. Bush (great-great-grandson) |
David Davis Walker (January 19, 1840 – October 4, 1918) was an American businessman. He started his career as a dry goods wholesaler in
Early life
David Davis Walker was born on January 19, 1840, on a farm near
At age fourteen, he was sent to the Beloit Preparatory Academy, part of Beloit College in Wisconsin.[2]
Business career
In 1857, Walker went to
In 1880, he went back to work, forming Ely, Walker & Co. with Frank Ely and others. The business was highly successful, and in 1883 it was incorporated as the Ely & Walker Dry Goods Company. He remained President of the company until 1892, and thereafter retained the largest interest in the firm. In 1896, the company built a massive warehouse on Washington Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, which became known as Ely Walker Lofts.[3] His sons David Davis, Jr., Joseph Sidney and George Herbert all had involvement with the Ely & Walker firm, which continued as a major clothing manufacturer until it was acquired by Burlington Industries after World War II, but George went into banking.
Personal life
Walker married Martha Adela Beaky. They had 6 children including George Herbert Walker.
Death and legacy
Walker died in 1918 at Walker's Point, his son George's seaside property in
References
- ^ "George W. Bush's Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandfather Was a Slave Trader". Slate. 2013-06-19.
- ^ "President Bush's Roots Extend to Beloit". Beloit College Magazine. Spring 2001. Archived from the original on 2006-09-15. Retrieved 2006-11-11.
- ^ Nini Harris (2018). This Used to Be St. Louis. St. Louis, MO: Reedy Press, LLC. p. 30. 9781681061139.
External links
- David Davis Walker at Find a Grave
- Ely & Walker Dry Goods Company building, now lofts and a gym